Patents Examined by Robert J. Popovics
  • Patent number: 11292739
    Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering sludge comprises a tank having an internal space divided by a dividing wall into an intake chamber and an extract chamber, an intake pipe connected to the intake chamber by an intake valve, a discharge pipe connected to the extract chamber by a discharge valve, and a transfer pipe providing fluid communication between the intake chamber and the extract chamber. The transfer pipe has first opening near the bottom of the intake chamber, and a second opening near the top of the extract chamber. A pump selectively creates positive and negative pressure within the intake chamber. A screen is positioned within the extract chamber between the second opening of the transfer pipe and the discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BIOVAC SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Terry Sulphur
  • Patent number: 11291932
    Abstract: A filter is provided including a vessel having an input positioned near the top of the vessel for contaminated fluid; the vessel containing media; a drain screen; a propeller rotatable on a drive shaft extending downwardly from the top of the vessel; a deflector plate below the drain screen to impel media outwardly from the center of the vessel; a plurality of baffles positioned on side walls of the vessel; and a drain to remove fluid from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: William Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 11285410
    Abstract: A filtration system (1) has a filtration unit (2) with at least one filter element (4) for filtration of a fluid. The at least one filter element (4) has a main flow direction (C) for the fluid. The filtration unit (2) is configured to tilt the at least one filter element (4) around a tilting axis (B) to change an orientation of the main flow direction (C). A main unit (3) is fluidly connectable to the filtration unit (2) and includes a supply unit (18) configured to supply the fluid to the at least one filter element (4). A control unit is configured to control supplying and/or evacuating the fluid to/from the at least one filter element (4) and to control tilting of the at least one filter element (4) around the tilting axis (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Schaefer, Ganeshkumar Padmanabhan, Michael Huth, Ralf Korzuschek, Rolf Matthiesen
  • Patent number: 11286762
    Abstract: A water hydration system for disposing of the water content of production fluid generated by a hydrocarbon well. The production water is processed to remove particulate matter, and then to separate the water from crude oil. The water is heated and pressurized and passed through a nozzle to produce a spray which flashes into steam in a duct carrying fresh air. The water vapor hydrates the air that is forced through the duct by a high capacity fan which blows the hydrated air into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Patent number: 11278826
    Abstract: A filter device has a filter housing (1) having a fluid inlet (11) for unfiltered matter, a fluid outlet (19) for filtered matter and at least one filter element (7, 9) of one or more parts accommodated in the filter housing (1). The filter element can be cleaned using at least one backwash element (21) in counter current to the direction of filtration. The backwash element can be moved by a fluid-conveying drive shaft (20) of a rotary drive at the inside (17) of the relevant filter element (7, 9). At the end adjacent to this inside (17), a gap-shaped passage opening is parallel to the axis of rotation (16) of the drive shaft (20) and opens into a flow chamber connected to the drive shaft (20) in a fluid-conveying manner. The distance between the backwash element (21) and the adjacent assignable filter element (7, 9) can be predetermined by an adjustment device (27; 47).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HYDAC PROCESS TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Deutschmeyer, Albert Kaints
  • Patent number: 11260570
    Abstract: Filtration apparatuses and screen changer devices for filtering polymeric material as well as spacer plates, and face plates for the screen changer devices and related methods are shown and described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: PSI-Polymer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Rosamond, III, David C. Woodcock
  • Patent number: 11260325
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a filtering device used for removing impurities in a mixture of biological diatomite, which relates to the technical field of sewage treatment. This device includes a plurality of deflectors evenly distributed in multiple layers in the vertical direction. Each deflector includes a shell and a top plate. There is a filter unit symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of each deflector. The top of the shell is covered with a top plate hinged with the depressed plate. The bottom of the shell is provided with water inlets which communicate with the shunt pipe, and the upper parts of the left and right side walls of the shell are provided with overflow ports. The shell also has a plurality of diversion folding plates located below the overflow ports and vertically staggered and distributed on the left and right side walls. The filter unit includes an inclined water guiding groove and a filtering plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TONGJI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaohu Dai, Bin Lu, Xiaoli Chai, Boran Wu, Zheng Zhou, Xiuzhong Wang
  • Patent number: 11247918
    Abstract: A media clarifier may have a passageway, an inlet, an outlet above the inlet, a screen, and a media bed with both compressible and incompressible media. The screen may span the passageway. The media bed may be adjacent to the screen when the media clarifier is in an operational state. Particulate matter is removed from a water stream as it passes through the media bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: WesTech Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Darin Lynn St. Germain, Jonathan Bay Farrell, Brian Lee Primrose, Darrell Wayne Christianson
  • Patent number: 11242678
    Abstract: A system for capturing and destroying hair and waste within a shower drain includes a basket placed in the drain which holds a rod including an enzyme blend. The basket captures hair or waste that is washed down shower drains The enzyme blend neutralizes the hair or waste. The result is a clear drain and clear plumbing, with minimal manual labor. The basket does not require removal because the hair and waste are neutralized before a clog can develop. The enzyme blend is safer for both users and the plumbing systems treated than conventional drain cleaning chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: NeverClog LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey J. Grumbach, Olaoluwa Faleye, Jacqueline Kirk
  • Patent number: 11241138
    Abstract: A fluid circulation system for dishwasher appliances includes a sump and a pump. The fluid circulation system further includes a filter at least partially disposed within a chamber of the sump and surrounding an impeller of the pump. The fluid circulation system includes a diverter. The fluid circulation system further includes a cleaning manifold disposed proximate an outer surface of a sidewall of the filter, the manifold defining a plurality of apertures for flowing fluid towards the outer surface of the sidewall of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Edward Dries
  • Patent number: 11230186
    Abstract: A motor vehicle tank subassembly for storing and discharging an operating liquid, encompassing a tank having a tank volume, a filling opening a withdrawal opening, and a conveying pump having intake and delivery sides, the intake side connected to the withdrawal opening, a material that forms a pore volume being received in the tank; the material that forms a pore volume, constituting a porous conveying body having a body volume, occupies only part of the tank volume, the porous conveying body embodied to receive liquid stored in the tank in its pore volume utilizing a capillary effect; the porous conveying body having a discharge portion connected to the withdrawal opening such that the withdrawal vacuum at the withdrawal opening brings about in pores of the discharge portion a discharge vacuum that overcomes the capillary effect occurring there; the remainder of the porous conveying body extending away from the discharge portion and the withdrawal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Farina, Fabrizio Chini, Mirco Bragagnolo
  • Patent number: 11224830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter element (1, 31) for use as a particulate filter in a cooling circuit (100), in particular of an electrochemical energy converter, having a conical grid support structure (3, 33). The filter element features at a first axial end a supply opening (23, 49) for supplying a cooling medium to be filtered into the filter element (1, 31) and the grid support structure (3, 33) carries a filter medium (4, 34). The filter element (1, 31) has axially opposite the supply opening (23, 49) a funnel (16, 40) for axially discharging and collecting particulate impurities, and is closed at second axial end. The conical grid support (3, 33) structure tapers from the first axial end to the second axial end. An arrangement of a fuel cell (102) having a a cooling circuit (100) with the filter element is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Wildermuth
  • Patent number: 11224831
    Abstract: A dam assembly is provided which is used to increase retention time on the shaker and therefore achieve maximum dryness of solids, such as cuttings, sand, dirt, and other particles. As solids are conveyed to the end of the shaker, the solids will begin to pile up behind the dam assembly. Once enough solids of sufficient weight pile up behind the dam assembly, the dam assembly will fold over and release the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11219845
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid includes a containment vessel having a V-shaped tank in fluid communication with an agitated overflow tank. Baffles within the V-shaped tank provide a series of zones where the fluid is deposited for processing. A shaftless auger at the bottom of the V-shaped tank transfers solids to an area where they are pumped to a first hydrocyclone assembly associated with a first shaker. Overflow from the hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the first shaker is further processed by a second hydrocyclone assembly associated with a second shaker. Overflow from the second hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the second shaker are deposited into overflow tank which contains the cleaned fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11219846
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid includes a containment vessel having a V-shaped tank in fluid communication with an agitated overflow tank. Baffles within the V-shaped tank provide a series of zones where the fluid is deposited for processing. A shaftless auger at the bottom of the V-shaped tank transfers solids to an area where they are pumped to a first hydrocyclone assembly associated with a first shaker. Overflow from the hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the first shaker is further processed by a second hydrocyclone assembly associated with a second shaker. Overflow from the second hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the second shaker are deposited into overflow tank which contains the cleaned fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 11213771
    Abstract: The invention describes separation systems and methods for separating solids and liquids from one another. The system includes a rotating screen for supporting a slurry of solids and liquid. A fluid manifold is configured to the lower surface of the screen for applying a downward vacuum force through the screen. A cleaning manifold is configured to the screen for cleaning the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Richard Hicks, Hugues Wanlin
  • Patent number: 11207617
    Abstract: A shearing blade is used in a filtration device including a filtering element having a filtering surface and a plurality of filter pores provided on the filtering surface for filtering unfiltered fluid introduced into a primary side, a scraper abutting the filtering element for cleaning the filtering surface by rotating in a rotational direction, a pillar provided in the primary side to which the scraper is attached, and a tube body. The front end portion of the shearing blade is at least disposed between the filtering surface and a circle defined by the outer circumferential end of the pillar in the radial direction, and the distance between the front end portion and the filtering surface in the radial direction is shorter than the distance between the rear end portion of the shearing blade and the filtering surface in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Koichi Arai
  • Patent number: 11199253
    Abstract: An oil filter assembly for a differential housing, including a filter housing for releasably mounting in a drive axle housing and defining an internal volume for containing oil to be filtered, a mounting arrangement for releasably securing the filter assembly to a drive axle housing, and a filter element for filtering particulate contaminants from oil in a drive axle. The filter housing includes an inlet on an upper portion thereof and an outlet on a lower portion thereof to define an flow path therethrough, and wherein the filter element is located downstream of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Gareth Trimmer, Gethin Thomas, Tom Hurd
  • Patent number: 11168655
    Abstract: A fuel filter device includes a bag-shaped filter member filtering fuel that is drawn into a fuel pump, an inner frame member retaining the filter member in an expanded state, and a mounting member connected to the inner frame member and serving to communicate an internal space of the filter member with an outside. A valve chamber is defined by the inner frame member and the mounting member, and a check valve serving to prevent backflow of fuel is disposed in the valve chamber. The check valve includes a flat-plate shaped valve body having elasticity. The check valve opens against its weight when the fuel pump is operated, and the check valve closes due to its weight when the operation of the fuel pump is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensuke Niwa, Koji Yoshida, Tatsuki Fukui, Hiroyasu Kariya
  • Patent number: 11161062
    Abstract: Filter systems disclosed herein collapse for storage purposes and include mechanisms to continuously fill an upper chamber, allowing it to be smaller and to include more filters. A UVC light in a lower chamber sanitizes water entering therein. Water entering the lower chamber may pass through a quartz tube near the UVC light for sufficient exposure. The UVC light may be cycled between shorter periods of higher intensity and longer periods of lower intensity. A low power source such as a small solar array and/or battery may power the UVC light. A proximity switch may control the UVC light by providing power to the light only when the upper chamber is engaged with the lower chamber which may protect the user from exposure to the UVC light. Sealing mechanisms between the upper and lower chambers, as well as tote mechanisms and an alternative bucket filter system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: WellspringPure, LLC
    Inventors: Valdean Allen Johnson, Celia Roberts Johnson